KTM Corner
- Thread starter EddiePJ
- Start date
Next little update of the new bike. I'm in lust! 
http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/2014-2015-ktm-macina-lycan-gps.19340/#post-240696
http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/2014-2015-ktm-macina-lycan-gps.19340/#post-240696
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Posted for no other reason than I think that it looks stunning!
My intended mods and changes are complete. It says something about a bike, when I can't find anything to add or change.
So all done and dusted, with just the addition of the Mucky Nutz bendy fender and a change to winter tyres for the next six months.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the OE Schwalbe Rocket Rons, and I was extremely impressed yesterday in relation to how they coped with wet off camber tree roots, and the generally horrid conditions. They remained very predictable and safe.
But being realistic, they aren't going to cope with the heavy and very slippery Wealden clay in my area, so I decided to change them to something that might suit my needs better. They were real bastid to fit though, and I was glad for having decent quality tyre levers!
Long gone are the days or raiding the family cutlery draw for spoons and forks, and wondering what the problem was when you eventually put them back, or rather if you put them back!
e
edit.. I Lied. I have just carried out two more mods. Reluctantly fitted a crud catcher to help protect the battery area, and also a home made shorty rear fender to protect both the shock absorber and also prevent any ingress of water from entering the rear of the motor.
My intended mods and changes are complete. It says something about a bike, when I can't find anything to add or change.
So all done and dusted, with just the addition of the Mucky Nutz bendy fender and a change to winter tyres for the next six months.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the OE Schwalbe Rocket Rons, and I was extremely impressed yesterday in relation to how they coped with wet off camber tree roots, and the generally horrid conditions. They remained very predictable and safe.
But being realistic, they aren't going to cope with the heavy and very slippery Wealden clay in my area, so I decided to change them to something that might suit my needs better. They were real bastid to fit though, and I was glad for having decent quality tyre levers!
Long gone are the days or raiding the family cutlery draw for spoons and forks, and wondering what the problem was when you eventually put them back, or rather if you put them back!
e
edit.. I Lied. I have just carried out two more mods. Reluctantly fitted a crud catcher to help protect the battery area, and also a home made shorty rear fender to protect both the shock absorber and also prevent any ingress of water from entering the rear of the motor.
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Direct link for today's organised mtb ride. http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/how-many-people-are-using-there-e-bike-off-road.15780/page-16#post-240977
Had to be done.
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, four superb KTM's in a row.
Had to be done.
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, four superb KTM's in a row.
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Eddie, I'm super pleased how much you are enjoying your new bike! And I'm really looking forward to when you visit your sister for the chance that I might get a look at it.
A couple of questions for you...
1) How are your new tyres working out. Are they better than the Panaracer ones that were your previous favourites?
2) Having test rode the KTM with the Panasonic hub and now having the experience on the new Bosch crank drive, how do the two compare? I much preferred the Panasonic hub to the old Bosch crank on my limited test ride. I'd be interested in your thoughts on the differences.
A couple of questions for you...
1) How are your new tyres working out. Are they better than the Panaracer ones that were your previous favourites?
2) Having test rode the KTM with the Panasonic hub and now having the experience on the new Bosch crank drive, how do the two compare? I much preferred the Panasonic hub to the old Bosch crank on my limited test ride. I'd be interested in your thoughts on the differences.
Hi TK.
Tyres is an interesting one.
Everyone is going to have their preferences to that one, and I think that there are also two other very important factors. The first is very much a mental one. If you believe that X tyre is better than Z, then the chances are that you are going to ride better on X than Z, possibly even if the complete opposite were true.
Next up is tyre pressures. Last Saturday I watched someone slipping and sliding across off camber tree roots, and yet only days before, I had ridden over almost identical terrain, almost identical conditions, and on exactly the same tyres, with not a single slide. After talking to the guy, the difference came down to tyre pressure. He was running the tyres way to high.
I would have bought Pannaracer Fire Pros, had it not been for cost. I researched tyres pretty thoroughly, and on paper there wasn't enough difference to justify me spending over double the cost of the WTB's.
It is too soon to say how things stack up to compare the two, but I have to say that I really loved the experience on them last Saturday. They didn't roll as well on the road, sounded like an old Landrover using Firestone SAT tyres, and the first initial session on the road, produced a definite rumble feeling through the handlebars. They were also the hardest tyre to fit, that I have ever come across. Usually I never need tyres, but these really tested my tyre levers and saw the levers pretty much bent backwards.
The offroad capabilities were superb, although I did drift very wide a couple of times. This was down to nothing more than my own 'mental' approach, and being wary of them. I needn't had worried though, as the capabilities of the tyres, easily out performs that of my own ability.
They grip like crazy, and I cannot speak highly enough of how they handled sketchy terrain and roots. I did receive comments about the amount of crud that I was throwing up though.
The bike came fitted with Schwalbe Rocket Ron's, and if I were to recommend a tyre for your use, I think that these would be perfect. I'm guessing that your bike already has either these, or Racing Ralphs. The Ralphs are also a superb tyres, but the limitations are quite obvious when it comes to muddy terrain. The only negative thing that I could say about either of the Schwalbe choices, is that they aren't very puncture resistant. I guess that being such light weight tyres, this aspect is always going to be a compromise.
I'll have to have a think about your second question. It's not really a particularly easy one to answer.
Tyres is an interesting one.
Everyone is going to have their preferences to that one, and I think that there are also two other very important factors. The first is very much a mental one. If you believe that X tyre is better than Z, then the chances are that you are going to ride better on X than Z, possibly even if the complete opposite were true.
Next up is tyre pressures. Last Saturday I watched someone slipping and sliding across off camber tree roots, and yet only days before, I had ridden over almost identical terrain, almost identical conditions, and on exactly the same tyres, with not a single slide. After talking to the guy, the difference came down to tyre pressure. He was running the tyres way to high.
I would have bought Pannaracer Fire Pros, had it not been for cost. I researched tyres pretty thoroughly, and on paper there wasn't enough difference to justify me spending over double the cost of the WTB's.
It is too soon to say how things stack up to compare the two, but I have to say that I really loved the experience on them last Saturday. They didn't roll as well on the road, sounded like an old Landrover using Firestone SAT tyres, and the first initial session on the road, produced a definite rumble feeling through the handlebars. They were also the hardest tyre to fit, that I have ever come across. Usually I never need tyres, but these really tested my tyre levers and saw the levers pretty much bent backwards.
The offroad capabilities were superb, although I did drift very wide a couple of times. This was down to nothing more than my own 'mental' approach, and being wary of them. I needn't had worried though, as the capabilities of the tyres, easily out performs that of my own ability.
They grip like crazy, and I cannot speak highly enough of how they handled sketchy terrain and roots. I did receive comments about the amount of crud that I was throwing up though.
The bike came fitted with Schwalbe Rocket Ron's, and if I were to recommend a tyre for your use, I think that these would be perfect. I'm guessing that your bike already has either these, or Racing Ralphs. The Ralphs are also a superb tyres, but the limitations are quite obvious when it comes to muddy terrain. The only negative thing that I could say about either of the Schwalbe choices, is that they aren't very puncture resistant. I guess that being such light weight tyres, this aspect is always going to be a compromise.
I'll have to have a think about your second question. It's not really a particularly easy one to answer.
Yeah, mine came with Racing Ralphs and I've really loved them so far, but then again I don't have anything to compare them to. I can't decide if winter tyres are going to be a worthwhile investment to me at the mo. If my ivf works then I'll be sticking to the roads and if it doesn't then the hormones I get shot up with whilst I'm trying might make me feel too rotten to want to ride much anyway. However, if this winter is anything like the last Welsh one then it was non stop rain from November until June and mud tyres will be of use well into the summer. The second thing is the fact that I'll have to change a tyre myself (see other Trail centre thread, lol), so the ones that you have at present may not be the best ones to cut my teeth on. I'm going to add the Pannaracers onto my shopping list with a question mark. Thanks for your thoughts.
I think that you should just stick with the Racing Ralphs. They will be fine for everything that you want to do, and probably make for a safer road tyre as well.
One of the KTM riders was using them last Saturday, and he stayed upright without too much problem.
If you fancy a ride when the weather turns rotten, try the canal tow paths down your way.
One of the KTM riders was using them last Saturday, and he stayed upright without too much problem.
If you fancy a ride when the weather turns rotten, try the canal tow paths down your way.
I decided that a canal tow path was an excellent idea for today's ride as I wanted a place that would show off the autumn colours nicely for some photographs. The bike came back muddier today than from any other ride lol. How do your new tyres cope specifically in mud? The big proper long mud puddle stretches of it. I don't know what a good tyre can do. My Racing Ralphs were fishtailing me about like a loon when I hit a particularly bad stretch of the tow path. It wasn't very inspiring with the canal so close next to me, hee hee.I think that you should just stick with the Racing Ralphs. They will be fine for everything that you want to do, and probably make for a safer road tyre as well.
One of the KTM riders was using them last Saturday, and he stayed upright without too much problem.
If you fancy a ride when the weather turns rotten, try the canal tow paths down your way.
Photos will follow at some point once I've put my Waun Fach ones up first.
I've had many a wet walk along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal.
The new tyres are brilliant in mud. They dig in deep and don't let go.
Please don't get anything that aggressive for your bike though. If you do decide that you want to change, think about Shwalabe Rocket Rons or Panaracer Fire xc pro's.
The new tyres are brilliant in mud. They dig in deep and don't let go.
Please don't get anything that aggressive for your bike though. If you do decide that you want to change, think about Shwalabe Rocket Rons or Panaracer Fire xc pro's.
New pictures of my KTM posted in this thread http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/how-many-people-are-using-there-e-bike-off-road.15780/page-17#post-241665
Kinnivie, do you have any uirther info about the bike. I assume that it is a work in progress rather than the finished article.
It's been a productive evening.
I've come up with and made a tool that every Bosch performance motor owner should own, irrelevant of bike manufacturer. It's going to be called, the "indispensable tool" and the next stage is to look into production costs for it.
I also came up with a second idea for the same motor, which would help prevent chain suck in muddy conditions, but need to speak to a local engineering company about feasibility of the idea first.
I loathe mudguards, but my final idea came after trying the Crud Buster rear mudguard and being disappointed with it. I then went on to look at the mudhugger rear mudguard, but decided that they have cocked up by making the fitting too close to the rear tyre, so I decided that the only thing to do, was to come up with my own design.
Sadly I'm a bit short of mouldable plastic at the moment, so had to use an old off cut, but this will be the rough design for it. The final one will be longer, shaped to follow the rear tyre, and will also extend behind the shock area.
I first need use a longer length of plastic, and also make a wooden dolly to form that aspect of it . When that is done, and I have formed the basic required shape, I might well have a chat to the guy that gives me the mouldable plastic, to see if he could make a proper batch production set, that would be model specific to the Macina Lycan. The clearance between the guard and the tyre will be approx 30-40mm when using a 2.3 tyre, which is better than the mudhugger, and it will also have a stronger mounting system.
You might also notice that I have removed the crudcatcher from the down tube. It wasn't worth bothering with, as it offered little protection over the bikes downtube, and did nothing for looks either.
Currently, unfinished, short, ugly and functional.
I've come up with and made a tool that every Bosch performance motor owner should own, irrelevant of bike manufacturer. It's going to be called, the "indispensable tool" and the next stage is to look into production costs for it.
I also came up with a second idea for the same motor, which would help prevent chain suck in muddy conditions, but need to speak to a local engineering company about feasibility of the idea first.
I loathe mudguards, but my final idea came after trying the Crud Buster rear mudguard and being disappointed with it. I then went on to look at the mudhugger rear mudguard, but decided that they have cocked up by making the fitting too close to the rear tyre, so I decided that the only thing to do, was to come up with my own design.
Sadly I'm a bit short of mouldable plastic at the moment, so had to use an old off cut, but this will be the rough design for it. The final one will be longer, shaped to follow the rear tyre, and will also extend behind the shock area.
I first need use a longer length of plastic, and also make a wooden dolly to form that aspect of it . When that is done, and I have formed the basic required shape, I might well have a chat to the guy that gives me the mouldable plastic, to see if he could make a proper batch production set, that would be model specific to the Macina Lycan. The clearance between the guard and the tyre will be approx 30-40mm when using a 2.3 tyre, which is better than the mudhugger, and it will also have a stronger mounting system.
You might also notice that I have removed the crudcatcher from the down tube. It wasn't worth bothering with, as it offered little protection over the bikes downtube, and did nothing for looks either.
Currently, unfinished, short, ugly and functional.
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Is the "crud catcher" an off the shelf product Eddie?Posted for no other reason than I think that it looks stunning!
My intended mods and changes are complete. It says something about a bike, when I can't find anything to add or change.
So all done and dusted, with just the addition of the Mucky Nutz bendy fender and a change to winter tyres for the next six months.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the OE Schwalbe Rocket Rons, and I was extremely impressed yesterday in relation to how they coped with wet off camber tree roots, and the generally horrid conditions. They remained very predictable and safe.
But being realistic, they aren't going to cope with the heavy and very slippery Wealden clay in my area, so I decided to change them to something that might suit my needs better. They were real bastid to fit though, and I was glad for having decent quality tyre levers!
Long gone are the days or raiding the family cutlery draw for spoons and forks, and wondering what the problem was when you eventually put them back, or rather if you put them back!
e
edit.. I Lied. I have just carried out two more mods. Reluctantly fitted a crud catcher to help protect the battery area, and also a home made shorty rear fender to protect both the shock absorber and also prevent any ingress of water from entering the rear of the motor.
Hi, I am curious about the battery pack in the picture, its not orange and black?Direct link for today's organised mtb ride. http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/threads/how-many-people-are-using-there-e-bike-off-road.15780/page-16#post-240977
Had to be done.
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, four superb KTM's in a row.